-14 NOTICES OF A UEMAKKABLE COLLECTION OF OKXAMESTS.

ejus accessu patiautur auo;meuta et liuic decrescenti minu- antiir." * The wheel is a similar and appropnate emblem of the rise and fall of prosperity ; and though it was not so generally figured in ancient sculptures with that view, as it is in more modern times, yet the expression of Cicero Rota ForfuncB shows that it was acknowledged as such. The other object discovered, which may also have a sj'm- bolical meaning, is the serpent. The Deie Matres were not only invoked for fertile fields and fruitful seasons, but several inscriptions prove that they were supposed to exercise a very beneficial influence over the health of individuals ; the snake, therefore, the invariable companion of the Dea Salus, will be very readily admitted to be an appropriate decoration for the votaries of the Deae Matres, The hitherto known examples of lunuhe, wheels, or suns, and serpents, have been found under circumstances which have not afforded any elucidation of the uses to which they were applied, or the purposes for which they were made ; nor were any other objects found with them which might facilitate conjecture. In this instance they have been found with objects clearly connected with the worship of the DeaB Matres, and an endeavour is made to show that they are sym- bols which might reasonably be supposed to appear among the paraphernalia of the priestesses and votaries of those divi- nities. Let it, however, be remembered that these are only conjectures formed upon exceedingly shght grounds, and thrown out. upon the present occasion, less with a view to illustrate the objects of which representations are given, than to induce Archaeologists to examine minutely and accu- rately, and to record at the time, faithfully and in detail, all the circumstances attending the discovery of any similar objects at which they may happily be present ; and, as far as they have the power, to prevent the separation of any objects, however insignificant the}* may appear, which have been found together, at least till they have been thoroughly e.xamined by persons competent to form a sound and correct judgment. Isolated objects are of httle value ; a collector may accumulate a number of amusing and elegant specimens, but it is only by combination, concentration, and comparison, that an entertaining collection can be converted into an instructive museum, and Archaeology erected into a science. EDWARD HAWKINS.

• Macrol). lib. i. in Somn. Scipionis, cap. 11.